Vulcanizing apparatus



Janb 5 ,1926. 1,568,778

R. W. SOHL VULCANIZING APPARATUS A Filed Dec. 7, 1923 INVENTOR N @PM2/MM' ATTORNEY to inflate the same by means of a single.

Patented Jan. 5, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,563,778y PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH W. SOHL, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, 0F AKRON, OHIO', A CORPORATION OF OHIO.`

VULCANIZING APPARATUS.

vApplication filed December 7, 1928. Serial' No. 679,124.

ratus, of which the following is a specifl-V cation. l

My invention relates to pneumatic cores adapted to be used for vulcanizing purposes in connection with the repair of pneumatic tire casings, and it relates more particularly to means for heating the same.

A The object of my invention consists in providing a novel fluid introducing apparatus ofthe character designated, whereby the pneumatic core may be maintained at any desired temperature and pressure.

Heretofore, in4 the manufacture of pneumatic cores of the type in question, commonly called air bags, it has been customary air connection disposed at one end thereof. This air connection serves to maintain the pressure within the bag, but it does not contribute to the heating thereof. All of the heat for the cure must be transmitted from the externally disposed mould against which the air bag holds the casing. The main objection to this type of air bag is that the portion of the rubber of the casing adjacent the heated mould must receive more heat than is necessary "to properly cure the same, in order to transmit a sucient quantity of heat to cure that portion of rubberwhich is disposed adjacent to the air bag, thus frequently over-curing the portion adjacent the heated mould.

In order to overcome this objection, bags of different type have been provided with a steam intake connection at one end and an exhaust connection at the opposite end, which is provided withl a valve. The -exhaust connection is necessary, since' the condensation of the steam would, in a few minutes, fill the bag with water of condensa tion, if a drain were not present. These bags have been provided with the steam connection disposed at one end and the drain at the opposite end. This is objectionable because it necessitates pnncturing the bag atftwo points with the accompanying disf advantage of providing two fluid-tight connections thereto. i

By my invention, I have eliminated the objection to the airabag of providing no heat to the inner surface of the casing being cured, and have also `eliminated the objection of the double connection to the steam-heated bag, by combining the steam intake and exhaust ports intoa single uni# tary device which may be inserted at one end of the bag. This necessitates but a single fluid-tight connection, and at the same time permits of the introduction and escape of live steam for heating and inflating the bag at one end thereof.

For better understanding of my invention, reference ymay now be had to the accompanyin drawing, which is a side elevational view o an ai'r bag provided witha'unitary steam inlet and` exhaust port constructed in apcordance with my invention. A

In the structure illustrated in the drawing is an inflatable bag 1 composed of reinforced rubber or the like, at one end of which is inserted a member 2 comprising a pipe 3 of relatively large diameter, which extends through the wall of bag l into communication with the interior thereof, and is connected' b means of a hose connection 4 to a source o supply of live steam of any desired pressure. The pipe 3 must be connected to the bag 1 in such manner as to be fluid tight. Disposed within the pipe 3 is a relatively long hollow pipe 5 of re atively small diameter, which extends into the central portion of the bag 1 and extends through the pipe 3, but not in communication therewith, being connected to a tube 6 provided at its opposite end with a valve member 7.

Having described the structure of my invention, the operation thereof is as follows. The bag 1 is disposed within a pneumatic tire casing to be vulcanized, and anexternal pressure applying device is munted on the outside thereof so as to prevent the ex ans sion of the casing with the expansion o the tube 1. The external ressure applying device usually consists o a metallic core which is adapted to be heated, but may, if desired, consist of layers of cloth wrapped therey about.A Steam is admitted through the tube 4 and the pi e 3 to the air bag 1 and after heating of the bag is permitted to escape through the pipe 5 and the tube 6. T e valve? may be left entirely open if it is desired merely to heat the bag 1 by means of the steam contained therein, but if it is detially closed, so as to permit the escape of only the condensed steam, or only of a sufcientl small amount of steam not to interfere with maintaining the desired pressure withinthe bag 1; f

Thepipe 5 1s "of suicient length to reach into the center of the air bag in order that it may extend into any pool of condensed steam which may accumulate therein. The pipe may, of course, be bent into any desired shape prior to being inserted into the bag 1.

Although I have illustrated but a single form of my invention and have described in detail but a single application thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but that various minor modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the s irit of my invention or from the scope of t e appended claims.

What I claim is:

1 A pneumatic core for vulcanizing pur.- poses comprising an inflatable bag member, and unitary means provided with a plurality of passageways associated therewith for admittinga fluid thereto and permitting the escape of said fluid therefrom.

2. A pneumatic core for vulcanizing purposes comprising an inflatable ba member, and means disposed at one end o said bag member in communication with. the interior thereof and adapted to simultaneously admit a fluid into said bag and permit the escape thereof.

3. A pneumatic core for vulcanizing pur poses comprising an inflatable bag member, and a unitary means inserted in said member adapted to permit the introduction of a fluid at one point insaid bag and permit the escape of said fluid from point removed fromthe point of entrance.

4.; A pneumatic core Afor vulcanizing purposes comprising an inflatable bag member, and unitary means inserted at one end of said member comprising a fluid inlet port and a tube member extending into said bag member and adapted to permit the escape of the fluid. vf*

5. A pneumatic core for vulcanizing purposes comprising an inflatable bag member and unitary means inserted at one end of said member comprising a fluid inlet tube and a relatively smaller tube disposed within said inlet tube but not in communication therewith extending into the central portion of said bag and ada tedv to permit the escape of the Huid there rom.

In witness whereof, I 4have hereunto signed my name.

RALPH W. SOHL. 

